Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes: a display module in which a folding area foldable with respect to a virtual folding axis on a plane and first and second non-folding areas adjacent to both sides of the folding area are defined and which is configured to display an image; a support plate below the display module; and an adhesion film between the display module and the support plate. The support plate includes a first support plate bonded to the adhesion film on the first non-folding area, and a second support plate bonded to the adhesion film on the second non-folding area. The first support plate includes a plurality of first protrusions protruding toward the second support plate, the second support plate includes a plurality of second protrusions protruding toward the first support plate, and the first and second protrusions are alternately arranged with respect to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/384,042, filed on Apr. 15, 2019, which claims priority to and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0067310, filed on Jun.12, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contentof each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a displayapparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

A display apparatus displays various images on a display screen toprovide information to a user. In recent years, a display apparatusincluding a flexible display panel to be foldable and rollable is beingdeveloped. The flexible display apparatus may be foldable or rollablelike a paper, unlike a flat panel display apparatus. The flexibledisplay apparatus that is variously changeable in shape may be easilycarried and improve convenience to a user.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, adisplay apparatus has improved durability and display quality.

According to one or more embodiments of the inventive concept, a displayapparatus includes: a display module in which a folding area foldablewith respect to a virtual folding axis on a plane and a plurality ofnon-folding areas adjacent to both sides of the folding area are definedand which is configured to display an image; a support plate having aplate shape and arranged below the display module; and an adhesion filmbetween the display module and the support plate.

The support plate may include: a first support plate bonded to theadhesion film on a first non-folding area of the plurality ofnon-folding areas, which is adjacent to one of the sides of the foldingarea; and a second support plate spaced apart from the first supportplate and bonded to the adhesion film on a second non-folding area ofthe plurality of non-folding areas, which is adjacent to the other sideof the folding area.

In one or more embodiments, the first support plate may include aplurality of first protrusions protruding toward the second supportplate, the second support plate may include a plurality of secondprotrusions protruding toward the first support plate, and the first andsecond protrusions may be alternately arranged with respect to eachother.

In one or more embodiments, a first side surface of the first supportplate may face a second side surface of the second support plate, theplurality of first protrusions may protrude from the first side surfacetoward the second side surface, and the plurality of second protrusionsmay protrude from the second side surface toward the first side surface.

In one or more embodiments, in a non-folded state of the display module,the first and second protrusions may overlap the folding area to supportthe folding area of the display module.

In one or more embodiments, in the non-folded state of the displaymodule, the first and second protrusions may protrude in a sawtoothshape and may be arranged to be engaged with each other.

In one or more embodiments, in a folded state of the display module, thefirst and second protrusions may be spaced apart from the folding areaof the display module.

In one or more embodiments, the adhesion film may include: a firstadhesion film configured to fix the first support plate to the firstnon-folding area; and a second adhesion film configured to fix thesecond support plate to the second non-folding area.

In one or more embodiments, the display apparatus may further include: afirst stepped layer between the first protrusions and the first adhesionfilm of the display module; and a second stepped layer between thesecond protrusions and the second adhesion film of the display module.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second stepped layers may befixed to the first and second support plates, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second stepped layers may beon top surfaces of the first and second support plates to cover thefirst and second protrusions, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, in a non-folded state of the display module,the first and second stepped layers may support the folding area.

In one or more embodiments, in a folded state of the display module, thefirst and second stepped layers may be spaced apart from the foldingarea of the display module.

In one or more embodiments, the support plate may have rigidity greaterthan that of the display module.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second protrusions mayhave a triangular shape when viewed in a plane.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second protrusions mayhave a rectangular shape when viewed in a plane.

In one or more embodiments, the adhesion film may have an integratedshape.

In one or more embodiments, the display apparatus may further include anon-adhesion film between the adhesion film and the support plate on thefolding area.

In one or more embodiments, the non-adhesion film may include fluorineor titanium.

In one or more embodiments, the non-adhesion film may include: a firstnon-adhesion film between the first support plate and the adhesion filmon the folding area; and a second non-adhesion film between the secondsupport plate and the adhesion film on the folding area.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second non-adhesion films maybe fixed to the first and second support plates, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second non-adhesion films maybe on top surfaces of the first and second support plates to cover thefirst and second protrusions, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate someexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which the display apparatus ofFIG. 1 is in-folded;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating shapes of first and second supportplates of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating shapes of first and second supportplates according to another embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating shapes of first and second supportplates according to another embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a display apparatus accordingto another embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a position relationship of a supportplate, an adhesion film, and first and second stepped layers of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of FIG. 7,taken along a line corresponding to the line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the in-folded display apparatus ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display module of a displayapparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 12 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating one pixel of thedisplay module of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state in which the display apparatus ofFIG. 13 is in-folded;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the display apparatus of FIG.13;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of FIG. 13,taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the in-folded display apparatus ofFIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and features of the present invention, and implementationmethods thereof will be clarified through some embodiments describedherein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The presentdisclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided such that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventiveconcept to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

It is to be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “on”another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer orsubstrate, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” anotherelement or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative termsshould be understood as terms which include different directions ofconfigurative elements in addition to directions illustrated in thefigures when using or operating the inventive concept.

It is to be understood that although the terms of “first” and “second”may be used herein to describe various elements and/or sections, theseelements and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are used to distinguish one element, component, or section fromanother element, component, or section. Accordingly, a “first” element,a “first” component, or a “first” section may be a second element, asecond component, or a second section within the technical idea of thepresent disclosure.

The embodiments in the following description may be described withschematic cross-sectional views and/or plan views as exemplary views ofthe inventive concept. Accordingly, shapes of the exemplary views may bemodified according to manufacturing techniques and/or allowable errors.Therefore, the embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited tothe specific shapes illustrated in the exemplary views, but may includeother shapes that may be created according to manufacturing processes.Areas exemplified in the drawings may have general properties. Thus,this should not be construed as limited to the scope of the inventiveconcept.

Herein, some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will bedescribed below in further detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept; FIG. 2 is a view illustrating astate in which the display apparatus of FIG. 1 is in-folded; and FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 1000 according to anembodiment of the inventive concept has a rectangular shape with a longside in a first direction DR1 and a short side in a second direction DR2crossing the first direction DR1. However, the display apparatus 1000according to other embodiments of the inventive concept is not limitedto the above-described shape and, thus, may have any of various shapes.

The display apparatus 1000 may be a flexible display apparatus.

Particularly, the display apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment ofthe inventive concept may be folded or unfolded with respect to afolding axis FX extending in a direction (e.g., a predetermineddirection). Herein, a folded state with respect to the folding axis FXmay be defined as a folded state, and an unfolded state may be definedas a non-folded state. The display apparatus 1000 may be a folding-type(foldable) display apparatus 1000. In an embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the folding axis FX may extend in the second direction DR2.

The display apparatus 1000 may be divided into a plurality of areasaccording to the folded state. The display apparatus 1000 may be dividedinto a folding area FA and at least one non-folding area NFA1 and NFA2,which are arranged on the plane. The folding area FA may be an area towhich folding stress due to a folding operation is applied. The foldingarea FA may overlap the folding axis FX on the plane.

According to an embodiment, the folding area FA of the display apparatus1000 is defined between the two non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2. Herein,the non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2 refer to a first non-folding areaNFA1 and a second non-folding area NFA2. The first non-folding area NFA1may be adjacent to one side of the folding area FA in the firstdirection DR1, and the second non-folding area NFA2 may be adjacent tothe other side of the folding area FA in the first direction DR1.

The folding area FA, the first non-folding area NFA1, and the secondnon-folding area NFA2 may be defined on the planes of membersconstituting the display apparatus 1000.

Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, one folding area FA isdefined on the display apparatus 1000, the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. According to other embodiments of the inventiveconcept, a plurality of folding areas may be defined on the displayapparatus 1000.

The display apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept may be in-folded. Here, the in-folding refers to a state inwhich a top surface of the display apparatus 1000, which is defined asthe display surface on which an image IM is displayed, is folded suchthat regions thereof face each other.

The display apparatus 1000 includes a display module 100, a supportplate 200, and an adhesion film 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display module 100 may be divided into anactive area AR and a peripheral area NAR on the plane defined by thefirst direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, theactive area AR is defined at a central portion of the display module 100on the plane. The peripheral area NAR is adjacent to the active area AR.In an embodiment, the peripheral area NAR may surround the active areaAR. In the present exemplary embodiment, the peripheral area NAR isdefined in a frame shape surrounding the active area AR.

However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited to theshapes and number of the active area AR and the peripheral area NAR. Thedisplay module 100 according to another embodiment of the inventiveconcept may include only the active area AR. In an embodiment, theactive area AR may be provided in plural, and the plurality of activeareas AR may be spaced apart from each other.

In an embodiment, the display module 100 includes a display panel 110and an input detection unit 120.

The display panel 110 may be a base layer on which the input detectionunit 120 is disposed. For example, the display panel 110 may be oneinsulation substrate or one insulation film. The display panel 110displays an image IM (see FIG. 1) in the active area AR.

The support plate 200 may be disposed below the display module 100 tosupport the display module 100. The support plate 200 may have a plateshape. The support plate 200 may have rigidity greater than that of thedisplay module 100. In an embodiment, for example, the support plate 200may include a metal material. However, embodiments of the inventiveconcept are not particularly limited to the material of the supportplate 200.

The support plate 200 includes a first support plate 210 and a secondsupport plate 220. The first support plate 210 is disposed on one sidein the first direction DR1. The first support plate 210 overlaps aportion of the folding area FA and the first non-folding area NFA1. Thesecond support plate 220 is disposed on the other side in the firstdirection DR1. The second support plate 220 overlaps another portion(e.g., a residual portion) of the folding area FA and the secondnon-folding area NFA2. The first support plate 210 and the secondsupport plate 220 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other inthe first direction DR1.

The adhesion film 300 is disposed between the display module 100 and thesupport plate 200. The adhesion film 300 bonds the display module 100and the support plate 200 to each other on the first and secondnon-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2. The adhesion film 300 according to anembodiment of the inventive concept may include a thermosetting resin ora photocurable resin.

The adhesion film 300 includes a first adhesion film 310 and a secondadhesion film 320. The first adhesion film 310 is disposed on one sidein the first direction DR1 and also disposed between the first supportplate 210 and the first non-folding area NFA1 of the display module 100.The second adhesion film 320 is disposed on the other side in the firstdirection DR1 and also disposed between the second support plate 220 andthe second non-folding area NFA2 of the display module 100. The firstadhesion film 310 and the second adhesion film 320 may be disposed to bespaced a distance corresponding to the folding area FA from each otherin the first direction DR1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating shapes of the first and secondsupport plates of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the first support plate 210 and thesecond support plate 220 may have a generally rectangular plate shape.Also, each of the first support plate 210 and the second support plate220 may have a side surface, the side surfaces of the first and secondsupport plates 210 and 220 may face each other in the first directionDR1.

In an embodiment, the first support plate 210 includes a plurality offirst protrusions 213 protruding toward the second support plate 220,and the second support plate 220 includes a plurality of secondprotrusions 223 protruding toward the first support plate 210. A firstside surface 211 of the first support plate 210 may face a second sidesurface 221 of the second support plate 220. The first protrusions 213protrude from the first side surface 211 toward the second side surface221, and the second protrusions 223 protrude from the second sidesurface 221 toward the first side surface 211.

In the non-folded state of the display apparatus 1000, the first andsecond protrusions 213 and 223 overlap the folding area FA to supportthe folding area FA of the display module 100. In the folded state ofthe display module 100, the first and second protrusions 213 and 223 maybe spaced apart from the folding area FA of the display module 100. Inthe folded state of the display module 100, the first and secondprotrusions 213 and 223 may be disposed to face each other.

In the non-folded state of the display apparatus 1000, the first andsecond protrusions 213 and 223 may be alternately disposed in the seconddirection DR2. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, thefirst and second protrusions 213 and 223 may protrude in a triangularshape and thus be disposed to be engaged with each other. In anembodiment, each of the first and second protrusions 213 and 223 mayhave an equilateral triangular shape, for example, a square shape, or anisosceles triangular shape when viewed in the plane, but the inventiveconcept is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating shapes of first and second supportplates according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating shapes of first and second supportplates according to another embodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the first and secondprotrusions 213 and 223 may have a sawtooth shape or a rectangularshape. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited tothe shape of each of the first and second protrusions 213 and 223.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, a spaced space SA may be definedbetween the first support plate 210 and the second support plate 220.

Typically, fatigue may be accumulated in the folding area of a displaymodule by the repetitive folding and unfolding operations of the displayapparatus. Thus, the shape of the display module may be changed in thefolding area. The shape change may include bending deformation such aslooping or lumping at a position of the folding area of the displaymodule, which corresponds to the folding axis. Particularly, an area ofthe folding area, which corresponds to a spaced space, may not besupported by the support plate. Thus, the bending deformation due to thelooping may remarkably occur in the above-described area.

However, according to the inventive concept, the spaced space SA may notbe formed in a straight-line shape, but may be formed in a zigzag shapeby the first and second protrusions 213 and 223. Thus, a position atwhich bending deformation occurs may not be concentrated into an areacorresponding to the folding axis FX, but may be dispersed to one sideand the other side with respect to the folding axis FX. As describedabove, since the position at which the bending deformation occurs isdispersed, the overall bending deformation of the display module 100 maybe reduced.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a display apparatus accordingto another embodiment of the inventive concept; FIG. 8 is a plan viewillustrating a position relationship of a support plate, an adhesionfilm, and first and second stepped layers of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is across-sectional view of the display apparatus of FIG. 7, taken along aline corresponding to the line I-I′ of FIG. 1; and FIG. 10 is across-sectional view of the in-folded display apparatus of FIG. 7.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe foregoing embodiment will be mainly described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the foregoing embodiment. Also, thesame reference symbols are given to same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the components will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a display apparatus 1003 according to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept further includes first and secondstepped layers 410 and 420.

The first stepped layer 410 is disposed between a first support plate210 and a folding area FA of a display module 100. The second steppedlayer 420 is disposed between a second support plate 220 and the foldingarea FA of the display module 100. The first and second stepped layers410 and 420 are fixed to the first and second support plates 210 and220, respectively.

The first and second stepped layers 410 and 420 may have adhesive tapesthat are respectively attached to top surfaces of the first and secondsupport plates 210 and 220. For example, the first and second steppedlayers 410 and 420 may cover top surfaces of first and secondprotrusions 213 and 223, respectively. Here, the top surfaces of thefirst and second protrusions 213 and 223 may be defined as surfacesrespectively facing first and second adhesion films 310 and 320.

In the non-folded state of the display module 100, the first and secondstepped layers 410 and 420 support the folded area FA. As illustrated inFIG. 10, in the folded state of the display module 100, the first andsecond stepped layers 410 and 420 may be spaced apart from the foldedarea FA of the display module 100.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display module of a displayapparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 11, the display panel 110 includes abase layer BSL, a pixel layer PXL, and a protection layer PTL. The baselayer BSL defines a rear surface of the display module 100. The baselayer BSL may be made of a flexible material.

The pixel layer PXL is disposed on the base layer BSL. The pixel layerPXL includes a plurality of pixels. The pixels receive an electricalsignal to realize an image IM.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a kind of thedisplay panel 110 may be determined according to the configuration ofthe pixel layer PXL. The display panel 110 may be a liquid crystaldisplay panel, an organic light emitting display panel, anelectrophoretic display panel, or an electrowetting display panel, ormay be any of various display panels capable of displaying images. Inaddition, the display panel 110 according to the inventive concept mayinclude any of various embodiments, but is not limited to oneembodiment.

FIG. 12 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating one pixel of thedisplay module of FIG. 11.

In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 12, the display panel 110 mayinclude an organic light emitting display panel. Thus, one pixel PXijincludes at least one thin film transistor, at least one capacitor, andat least one display device. In an embodiment, the pixel PXij includes afirst thin film transistor TFT1, a second thin film transistor TFT2, onecapacitor Cap, and an organic light emitting device OLED.

The first thin film transistor TFT1 includes a control electrodeconnected to an i-th scan line SLi, an input electrode connected to aj-th data line DLj, and an output electrode. The first thin filmtransistor TFT1 outputs a data signal applied to the j-th data line DLjin response to the scan signal applied to the i-th scan line SLi.

The capacitor Cap includes a first capacitor electrode connected to thefirst thin film transistor TFT1, and a second capacitor electrodereceiving a first power voltage ELVDD. The capacitor Cap chargeselectrical charges by an amount corresponding to a difference between avoltage corresponding to the data signal received from the first thinfilm transistor TFT1 and the first power source voltage ELVDD.

The second thin film transistor TFT2 includes a control electrodeconnected to the output electrode of the first thin film transistor TFT1and the first capacitor electrode of the capacitor Cap, an inputelectrode receiving the first power source voltage ELVDD, and an outputelectrode. The output electrode of the second thin film transistor TFT2is connected to the organic light emitting device OLED.

The second thin film transistor TFT2 controls driving current flowingthrough the organic light emitting diode OLED to correspond to a chargeamount stored in the capacitor Cap. A turn-on time of the second thinfilm transistor TFT2 is determined according to an amount of chargescharged in the capacitor Cap. Substantially, the output electrode of thesecond thin film transistor TFT2 supplies a voltage having a level lessthan that of the first power source voltage ELVDD to the organic lightemitting device OLED.

The organic light emitting device OLED includes a first electrodeconnected to the second thin film transistor TFT2, and a secondelectrode receiving a second power source voltage ELVSS. The organiclight emitting device OLED may include a light emitting pattern disposedbetween the first and second electrodes.

The organic light emitting device OLED emits light during a turn-onperiod of the second thin film transistor TFT2. The light generated inthe organic light emitting device OLED may have a color that isdetermined by a material for forming the light emitting pattern. Forexample, the light generated in the organic light emitting device OLEDmay have one of a red color, a green color, a blue color, and a whitecolor.

The protection layer PTL is disposed on the pixel layer PXL to cover thepixel layer PXL. The protection layer PTL electrically insulates thepixel layer PXL from the input detection unit 120.

For example, the protection layer PTL may be an encapsulation layer thatencapsulates the pixel layer PXL. In an embodiment, the protection layerPTL may include a plurality of laminated organic layers and/or inorganiclayers.

In an embodiment, the protection layer PTL may be a planarization layerthat planarizes a top surface of the pixel layer PXL. The protectionlayer PTL according to an embodiment may have any of various shapes, butis not limited to one embodiment.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the input detection unit 120 is disposed onthe protection layer PTL. The active area AR of the input detection unit120 may substantially overlap the area on which the pixel layer PXL isdisposed.

The input detection unit 120 detects an external input provided to theactive area AR of the display module 100.

The external input may be provided in various manners. FIG. 1illustrates embodiments in which an external input inputted through aportion (for example, a finger) of a human body is detected. However,this is merely an example, and, thus, the external input provided to theinput detection unit 120 is not limited to one manner. According toanother embodiment of the inventive concept, the external input may beinputted in a manner such as an optical, touch, or magnetic manner.

Although not shown, the input detection unit 120 may include an inputdetection cell including a plurality of input detection sensors fordetecting an external input, driving lines applying an electrical signalto the input detection cell or transmitting an electrical signalgenerated by the input detection cell to the outside, and pads. The padsmay be connected to the display panel 110 or an external power supplydevice (not shown).

The input detection unit 120 may detect the external input in variousmanners. For example, the input detection unit 120 may be driven in acapacitance, resistive, or coordinate recognition manner.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept; FIG. 14 is a viewillustrating a state in which the display apparatus of FIG. 13 isin-folded; and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the displayapparatus of FIG. 13.

For convenience of description, differences between this embodiment andthe foregoing embodiments will be mainly described, and omitteddescriptions may be derived from the foregoing embodiments. Also, thesame reference symbols are given to the same components, and duplicateddescriptions with respect to the components will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, a display apparatus 1005 according toanother embodiment of the inventive concept includes a display panel100, a support plate 200, an adhesion film 500, and a non-adhesion film600.

The adhesion film 500 is disposed between the display module 100 and thesupport plate 200. The adhesion film 500 bonds the display module 100and the support plate 200 to each other on non-folding areas NFA1 andNFA2. The adhesion film 500 may have an integrated shape. The adhesionfilm 500 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may includea thermosetting resin or a photocurable resin.

The non-adhesion film 600 is disposed between the adhesion film 500 andthe support plate 200. The non-adhesion film 600 may reduce bondingforce between the adhesion film 500 and the support plate 200. In anembodiment, for example, the non-adhesion film 600 may include fluorineor titanium. The non-adhesion film 600 is disposed to overlap thefolding area FA.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of FIG. 13,taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 13; and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectionalview of the in-folded display apparatus of FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, the non-adhesion film 600 may include afirst non-adhesion film 610 and a second non-adhesion film 620. Thefirst non-adhesion film 610 is disposed between the adhesion film 500and the first support plate 210, and the second non-adhesion film isdisposed between the adhesion film 500 and the second support plate 220.

According to an embodiment, the first and second non-adhesion films 610and 620 are disposed on top surfaces of the first and second supportplates 210 and 220, respectively. Here, each of the top surfaces of thefirst and second support plates 210 and 220 may be a surface facing theadhesion film 500.

The first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may be coupled tothe top surfaces of the first and second support plates 210 and 220,respectively. According to an embodiment, the first and secondnon-adhesion films 610 and 620 have shapes applied to the top surfacesof the first and second support plates 210 and 220, respectively.However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto.For example, the first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may berespectively coupled to the top surfaces of the first and second supportplates 210 and 220 in the form of a film or sheet. In an embodiment, thefirst and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may cover the topsurfaces of the first and second protrusions (see reference numerals 213and 223 of FIG. 4). Here, each of the top surfaces of the first andsecond protrusions 213 and 223 may be defined as a surface facing theadhesion film 500.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second non-adhesion films 610and 620 may include fluorine or titanium. In an embodiment, for example,each of the first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may be acoating agent due to anti-finger coating. In an embodiment, each of thefirst and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may have a thickness ofabout 1 μm or less.

The first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may reduce bondingforce between the adhesion film 500 and the support plate 200. Thus, theadhesion film 500 and the first support plate 210 are not bonded to eachother on the folding area FA on which the first non-adhesion film 610 isdisposed, and the adhesion film 500 and the second support plate 220 arenot bonded to each other on the folding area FA on which the secondnon-adhesion film 620 is disposed.

When the display module 100 is folded, a portion of the first supportplate 210 overlapping the folding area FA is spaced apart from theadhesion film 500 by the first non-adhesion film 610, and a portion ofthe second support plate 220 overlapping the folding area FA is spacedapart from the adhesion film 500 by the second non-adhesion film 620.Thus, even though the display module 100 is folded, the first and secondsupport plate 210 and 220 having relatively large rigidity may not befolded, and stress applied to the folding area FA of the display module100 may be reduced.

Typically, fatigue may be accumulated in the display module thatoverlaps the folding area by the repetitive folding and unfoldingoperations of the display apparatus. Thus, the shape of the displaymodule, which corresponds to the folding area, may be changed.

In the present embodiment, when the adhesion film 500 has the integratedshape and is disposed on the folding area FA, the folding area FA of thedisplay module 100 may be supported by the adhesion film 500. Thus,according to the present embodiment, a phenomenon in which the displaymodule 100 is changed in shape may be reduced.

Although not shown, the first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620may be bonded to a bottom surface of the adhesion film 500. Here, thebottom surface of the adhesion film 500 may be a surface facing thesupport plate 200. The first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620may be bonded to the top surfaces of the first and second support plates210 and 220, respectively.

The first and second non-adhesion films 610 and 620 may be applied tothe bottom surface of the adhesion film 500. Thus, as the display module100 is folded, a portion of the adhesion film 500 overlapping thefolding area FA may be spaced apart from each of the first and secondsupport plates 210 and 220. Thus, even though the display module 100 isfolded, the first and second support plate 210 and 220 having relativelylarge rigidity may not be folded, and thus, the stress applied to thefolding area FA of the display module 100 may be reduced.

According to embodiments of the inventive concept, the durability andthe display quality of the display apparatus may be improved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the inventive concept. Thus,it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications andvariations of this invention. Thus, the scope of the present inventionshall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display modulein which a folding area foldable with respect to a virtual folding axison a plane and a plurality of non-folding areas adjacent to both sidesof the folding area are defined and which is configured to display animage; and a support plate arranged below the display module, whereinthe support plate comprises: a first support plate on a firstnon-folding area of the plurality of non-folding areas; and a secondsupport plate spaced apart from the first support plate on a secondnon-folding area of the plurality of non-folding areas, wherein a spacedspace between the first support plate and the second support plate isprovided in the folding area with a zigzag shape.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein a first side surface of the first supportplate faces a second side surface of the second support plate, and thefirst support plate comprises a plurality of first protrusions extendedfrom the first side surface toward the second side surface, and thesecond support plate comprises a plurality of second protrusionsextended from the second side surface toward the first side surface. 3.The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein, the first and secondprotrusions are alternately arranged with respect to each other, thespaced space is formed in the zigzag shape by an arrangement of thefirst and second protrusions.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2,further comprising: a first adhesion film configured to fix the firstsupport plate to the first non-folding area; and a second adhesion filmconfigured to fix the second support plate to the second non-foldingarea.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a firststepped layer between the first protrusions and the first adhesion filmof the display module; and a second stepped layer between the secondprotrusions and the second adhesion film of the display module.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second steppedlayers are fixed to the first and second support plates, respectively.7. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support plate hasrigidity greater than that of the display module.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesion film between thedisplay module and the support plate, wherein the adhesion film overlapswith the spaced space.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising a non-adhesion film between the adhesion film and the supportplate on the folding area.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe non-adhesion film comprises fluorine or titanium.
 11. The displayapparatus of claim 10, wherein the non-adhesion film comprises: a firstnon-adhesion film between the first support plate and the adhesion filmon the folding area; and a second non-adhesion film between the secondsupport plate and the adhesion film on the folding area.
 12. The displayapparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second non-adhesion filmsare fixed to the first and second support plates, respectively.